The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-08
MORMON MISSIONARIES.
A Party of PROSECUTING Elders Taken in Hand
by South Carolina's Better Element"

CHARLESTON, S. c., July For several
years Mormon missionaries have been trying to
get foothold in upper Carolina and Georgia
A number of converts have been made in York
and Spartanburg counties, South Carolina, and
several families have gone to Utah. The con-
verts have been ignorant country people Pub
lie sentiment is strongly opposed to the spread
of the missionaries pernicious doctrines.
They have not done much in this State for the
last year. but seem to have transferred their
field of labor across the Savannah river, in Rich
Inond county, Georgia.
TIE people of the marlborough neighbor
hood stirred up just now by the appearance
in that locality of three Mormon missionaries,
the Rev. David Benson. and Elders S. G. Spen-
Ger and Joseph Murphey, who have
been preaching at Goodwin's Chapel
about month. They are good takers. seem
to have an abundance OF money aud in a re-
markedly short time they have worked them
selves into the good graces of some of the most
ignorant of the people. Among the families
with whom they have been staging, and who 1t
Is said, have professed Mormonism, are Mr..
Copeland's. David Seeds. John L. Farmers.
William Newmans, James Newmans and
George Andersons Having got such sup
porters, they began working hard, promising
all who protested Mormonism to send them to
Utah free of cost, and provide for them there.
They stated that they were sent out as mission
pie to their religion, ana send all that con-
fessed such to Utah They working princi-
paly to send out young men and young women
The missionaries had worked the ignorant
class into such excitement that the people of
education decided something should be done to
rid the section of such people. A few days ago
they called a meeting, and it was decided to draw
request asking the missionaries to leave the
county. The paper was handed them by COM
mittee'of five, but they pointedly and deter
minedy refused to go. They had all this time
been holding nightly vices in Goodwns
chapel, and were distributing among the people
numbers of pamphlets the Mormon religion.
and even went so far as to preach to them that
all who did not confess the Mormon religion and
go to Utah befor 1893 would be destroyed by
fire." also telling them 'that they were living in
adultery; that marriage was in correspondence
with the laws of God other than those who were
married by the Mormon service and by Nor
mon and that no woman would obtain absolute
perfection in the future state if she died vir-
GIN"
This, of course, got the ignorant people into a
frenzy Of excitement. When all of this became
known to the people who had requested the mis-
sionaries to leave the county, they decided that
something should be done at once. and immedi-
ately organized body of regulators" consist
ing of two dozen men, who went to one of their
meetings in Goodwns chapel and ordered them
to leave and never to enter the chapel again.
They left the chapel, but refused to leave the
county. and have since been preaching in private
houses. and the excitement continues On Sun
day last not less than twenty-eight attended
their services at q private house.
number of regulators were dealt with
quite severely by the courts some time ago for
whipping party of negroes, whom they were
confident had been carrying on an organized
system of robbery, which accounts for the good
behavior in this Instance. They, however, have
determined not To allow the Mormous to
tinue longer, and will, in all probability run the
missionaries from the county in few days.
This will doubtless be a difficult task, as the
Iormons have quite a strong backing among
certain class and when the attempt is made
there is liable to be some very lively fighting.